Venous flow control element for maintaining penile erection

A method of maintaining penile erection in a male individual, comprising:

• (a) providing a device comprised of a length of flexible tubing to be applied to the penis as a loop, having a distal end, a proximal end, and a central section having a substantially uniform diameter, wherein the tubing is provided with first and second grasping means adjacent to the distal and proximal ends of the tubing, respectively, and wherein the device further includes a tension-relieving means for adjusting constrictive tension after application of the device to the penis, said tension-relieving means comprising an integral fastening means adapted to secure the tubing in the form of a loop of adjustable size, in turn comprising (i) a substantially rigid, enlarged segment of tubing between said first and second grasping means substantially adjacent to the proximal end of the tubing and (ii) a ring through which a loop of the central section of tubing may be passed, wherein the ring is dimensioned to maintain the tubing in the form of a loop while also allowing adjustment of the size of the loop, and further wherein the enlarged segment of tubing has a diameter which prevents its passage through the ring;
• and
• (b) encircling the base of the individual's penis with said loop and tensioning the device thereabout to provide circumferential tension sufficient to prevent excess venous outflow from the penis, wherein tensioning comprises pulling on the distal end of the tubing to reduce the size of the loop and bring the enlarged segment of tubing into close locking engagement with both the ring and a central section of the tubing.

A method for treating erectile dysfunction in a male individual, comprising:

• (a) administering a pharmacologically active agent to the individual;
• (b) providing a device comprised of a length of flexible tubing to be applied to the penis as a loop, having a distal end, a proximal end, and a central section having a substantially uniform diameter, wherein the tubing is provided with first and second grasping means adjacent to the distal and proximal ends of the tubing, respectively, and wherein the device further includes a tension-relieving means for adjusting constrictive tension after application of the device to the penis, said tension-relieving means comprising an integral fastening means adapted to secure the tubing in the form of a loop of adjustable size, in turn comprising (i) a substantially rigid, enlarged segment of tubing between said first and second grasping means substantially adjacent to the proximal end of the tubing and (ii) a ring through which a loop of the central section of tubing may be passed, wherein the ring is dimensioned to maintain the tubing in the form of a loop while also allowing adjustment of the size of the loop, and further wherein the enlarged segment of tubing has a diameter which prevents its passage through the ring;
• and
• (c) encircling the base of the individual's penis with said loop and tensioning the device thereabout to provide circumferential tension sufficient to prevent excess venous outflow from the penis and cause enhanced retention of the agent within the penis, wherein said tensioning comprises pulling on the distal end of the tubing to reduce the size of the loop and bring the enlarged segment of tubing into close locking engagement with both the ring and a portion of the central section of the tubing.

A method for preventing urinary incontinence in a male individual, comprising:

• (a) providing a device comprised of a length of flexible tubing to be applied to the penis as a loop, having a distal end, a proximal end, and a central section having a substantially uniform diameter, wherein the tubing is provided with first and second grasping means adjacent to the distal and proximal ends of the tubing, respectively, and wherein the device further includes a tension-relieving means for adjusting constrictive tension after application of the device to the penis, said tension-relieving means comprising an integral fastening means adapted to secure the tubing in the form of a loop of adjustable size, in turn comprising (i) a substantially rigid, enlarged segment of the tubing between said first and second grasping means substantially adjacent to the proximal end of the tubing and (ii) a ring through which a loop of the central section of tubing may be passed, wherein the ring is dimensioned to maintain the tubing in the form of a loop while also allowing adjustment of the size of the loop, and further wherein the enlarged segment of tubing has a diameter which prevents its passage through the ring;
• and
• (b) encircling the base of the individual's penis with said loop and tensioning the device thereabout to provide circumferential tension sufficient to prevent involuntary passage of urine from the individual's urethra, wherein tensioning comprises pulling on the distal end of the tubing to reduce the size of the loop and bring the enlarged segment of tubing into close locking engagement with both the ring and a portion of the central section of the tubing.